Beckenham stake their claim

South London rivals Beckenham and Bromley will be locking horns for the remainder of the season after the gap between them closed to six points following Beckenham's 86 run victory over Sandwich.

They bagged 20 points and moved to the top of the Kent Premier Division for the first time this season though Bromley also took sixteen points to keep the contest close and compelling.

Sandwich invited Beckenham to bat on a moist wicket with clouds overhead. Chris Isles and James Evans built a steady platform reaching 72 before Evans departed. Isles continued to accumulate steadily and was well supported by Alex Blake with 48.

Isles was bowled for 91 during a good spell from Robert Goatham (6-60) and Beckenham failed to fully capitalise on their good start, being restricted to 238-9. With the exception of Leon Johnson (61) none of the Sandwich batsmen settled though at 138 for four with 16 overs remaining, the game appeared well balanced but once wickets began to tumble, the end came swiftly as the innings closed on 152 with seven overs remaining.

Bromley meanwhile made light work of Lordswood to send the Medway Town to the bottom of the table. Lordswood struggled against a tight bowling attack and their total of 156 never looked sufficient. Grant Sheen (79 not out) and James Butterfill (68 not out) found the going easy as Bromley cruised to a nine wicket victory in just 32 overs.

A superb unbroken seventh wicket partnership of 166 between Murray Creed and Ciaran Morgan saw St Lawrence topple League Leaders Hartley in a thrilling game of cricket.

St Lawrence asked Hartley to bat and their innings began with a century partnership dominated by James Hockley (65). The remainder of their innings was anchored by a useful 82 from Matt Stiller but the lower order disappointed and Hartley were bowled out with more than an over to spare, which later was to prove crucial.

St Lawrence began in disastrous fashion and found themselves at 36 for five and Hartley looked likely victors. However Alex Day helped Creed repair some damage taking the total to 95 for six when Morgan teamed up with Creed who continued to an excellent 109. Morgan added an invaluable 66 to edge St Lawrence home in the additional over they received from Hartley. This welcome win takes St Lawrence out of the bottom two.

An excellent spell from Middlesex paceman Dave Burton of 6-34 proved too much for Tunbridge Wells who were blown away for just 106 against Blackheath, Simon Routh (30) the only man to offer any resistance. Dave Hammond (66) and Alex Senn (43) shared an unbeaten opening partnership to complete a ten wicket victory at the Nevill.

Sevenoaks Vine also found batting tough against a hungry Gore Court attack who shared the wickets around. Their innings of 126 would have been ended earlier but for Alex Rayner who battled hard for his 47.

Martin McCague and Chris Piesley set off well, the latter scoring 51 as Gore Court took little time - just 22 overs - to finish the job and won with ease by six wickets.